Enable or Disable the Reserved Storage

The quickest way to control and manage the volume of your Windows 10 PC is using the Volume control icon in the system tray. However, you might encounter issues in using it especially if you recently updated your PC. After the update, if it no longer responds to mouse clicks, be it a right-click or left-click, read on as this post will show you what you can do to remedy that issue. If you think that you’re the only one who has experienced this problem, you are mistaken as several users also reported that the volume icon does highlight and shows the volume level if you hover the cursor over it but it does not really do anything at all. This is definitely the quickest way to change the audio output in Windows 10 especially when you have to change from speakers to your earphone and whatnot. If you are one of the users whose Windows 10 Taskbar Volume Control icon has stopped working and every time you click on the icon and nothing happens and you’re still not able to adjust the volume of your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will show you what you can do to fix that problem. Although the audio is working just fine, you will still not be able to adjust the volume from its control icon. The problem is most likely related to the UI interaction. There are times when icons in the taskbar also experience the same issue where you can hover your mouse over them but nothing happens when you click on them. As mentioned, the issue with the volume icon does not seem to affect the actual audio of the computer. Double-check to confirm and if it turns out that the audio is indeed working fine, you can use the hardware of your keyboard to manage and control the volume, however, the software just won’t work. This issue is really inconvenient especially for users who connect their laptops to a bigger display. To fix this issue, here are some suggestions you need to check out.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Windows Explorer

This option may sound silly but it has actually worked in fixing the issue for some users. So if anything gets stuck on the taskbar or system tray, the best way to revive them is by restarting Windows Explorer.

• Right-click on the taskbar and then select the Task Manager.
• Next, look for Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
• Then right-click and select restart.
• After that, wait for the restart process to be completed and for the user interface to refresh. Note that you will notice the Taskbar disappearing and reappearing again. It will reload the entire user interface and allows you to access the volume icon. It should work this time.

Option 2 – Restart the Audio services

Restarting the audio services in your computer can also help you fix the volume control issue and to do that, refer to these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type in “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Services.
• From there, look for Windows Audio and then right-click on it and go to Properties.
• After that, you have to make sure that the Startup Type is set to Automatic.
• Then click on the Stop button. Once it has stopped, start it again.
• Now restart your computer and see if you can now access the volume icon on the taskbar.

Option 3 – Try to update or roll back the Audio driver

If the glitch in your audio has something to do with software, chances are it might be related to the audio driver – it could be that the newest version of your Windows 10 does not work well with the old version of the driver. This is why you have to update your audio driver to the newest available version.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in devmgmt.msc and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
• And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
• From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
• Then also click on the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Restart your PC after the installation.

Note: If updating the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the website of your PC manufacturer and look for the support section where you can download the drivers for your computer. You just need to take note of your PC’s correct model and model number so you can find the appropriate driver.

Option 4 – Try running the Playing Audio Troubleshooter

Since the Windows 10 operating system has the Playing Audio Troubleshooter, you can use this troubleshooter to try and fix the volume control issue on your PC. You can access this tool in the Control Panel or in the Taskbar Search and even on the Troubleshooters page of Windows 10. Run this troubleshooter and see if it can fix the issue or not.

What Is Htmlayout.dll Error?

Htmlayout.dll is a linked library which is also known as HTMLayout. In simple words, it is an embeddable HTML layout and rendering component. htmlayout.dll is generally associated with Avast Internet Security, Bit Defender Internet Security 2011, and other similar programs. If you’re noticing that a continuous popup that reads:-

‘HTMLayout.dll cannot be loaded to properly start GUI. Therefore process cannot continue’, ‘Htmlayout.dll not found’, ‘The file htmlayout.dll is missing’,

and so on, then your system may be exposed to serious privacy and security threats.

Solution

Error Causes

To begin with, DLL files are shared files, and they can and do exist outside the software applications. While these files do provide benefits to software developers, once they are separated, they can only spell trouble. Hence, you start seeing the HTMLayout error, which will most probably occur at system startup, program startup, or when trying to use specific functions in a program. There are a number of reasons why the HTMLayout errors occur, and some of the common ones include:

• The file is missing because it was accidentally deleted from the system.
• The file was damaged by a virus and as a result, your system cannot access it.
• The file was related to the registry and is now corrupt or obsolete.
• The program that was related to the file was not uninstalled properly.
• The file was overwritten by a corrupt or outdated version.
• The spyware or malware deleted the original file and disguised it as the HTMLayout.

Further Information and Manual Repair

While the HTMLayout DLL error may sound like too much trouble, it is rather easy to resolve with a few steps. If you are getting the error because of a specific program or file, then you should reinstall to make sure the error does not pertain. For that, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start and select the Control Panel.
2. Click on the Add/Remove Programs icon and select the programs that show the error on the list.
3. Select Remove/Uninstall to safely remove the program from your system.
4. Restart the system and reinstall the program again.

This is the easy way out if the HTMLayout DLL error is occurring as a result of the file missing. However, there can be cases when the file has been tampered with by virus or registry issues. For that, the safest bet is to download Restoro. Restoro is not just another registry cleaner. Instead, it is a multi-functional PC Fixes that works as an antivirus, registry cleaner, system optimizer, and much more. What’s more interesting about Restoro is that it provides real-time results as opposed to other registry cleaners. In other words, you will actually feel a difference in PC performance and security after installing and using the program. The software is compatible with all Windows versions. So just click here and download Restoro to get rid of HTMLayout error and other issues in your system!

If you have a laptop that is slowing down and some usual tasks are sluggish you probably mean that it is time to change it and get a new one. Altho it is a good solution and it will guarantee that you will be able to do your tasks with more speed and comfort, straight purchasing is not always the best thing to do.

There are things you can do and some upgrades that are cheaper and will bring your laptop back into the game and extend its usage for a few more years.

1. Clean it

The most common issue for slowing down of computer is dust and dirt that accumulates over time and usage. If the laptop has not been properly cleaned in a while, cleaning it and placing new thermal paste on the CPU can do wonders. If you are not keen on doing this yourself or do not possess the required skillset take it to your local IT center for cleaning.

2. Uninstall software that you are not using

Various software can have speeding effects on computers, it can have some services running in the background and thus take precious resources slowing the whole system. If you are not using software, uninstall it.

3. Do not install the latest software

If you are using your computer for basic tasks there is no really need to install the latest and best. A lot of new software will require new hardware and things that offer are not so much better nor even required to justify the upgrade. Let us take office, for example, if you are using it to just write some text and not using any advanced options there is really no need to switch to a newer version, the old one will do just fine tasks that you are in need of.

4. Replace HD

Now this fits in the domain of upgrading your hardware but still it is much cheaper than replacing the whole laptop. Windows 10 works much better with SSD and SSD itself is faster than your standard HD, especially if it is slower model spinning in only 5400RPM. Operation of HD replacement is simple and straightforward and anyone can do it but the benefits of replacement will be visible right away. With a new SSD instead of an old mechanical one, you will have the feeling that you actually bought a new laptop.

5. Add more RAM

This is basically the last thing you can do in order to speed up your old laptop that will not break your bank account. Upgrading RAM was always the thing that can push your computer to have more power and to behave better while you are doing tasks. One important thing here is to first see how much RAM you have in your computer. If you are packing already 8GB then upgrading will not do much but if you have only 4GB, raising it to 6GB or 8GB will be beneficial. Also, check if the model of the laptop supports more RAM in the first place.

Conclusion

We have covered here a vast array of options in order to get your laptop back into the game with variability between hardware upgrades to taking care of your software. Whatever option you choose to do it will speed up your computer but among all of them, replacing the hard drive will do the most.

If you are using a Windows Update Standalone Installer to install Windows Updates in your Windows 10 computer but you suddenly encounter an error saying, “Installer encountered an error: 0x80096002, The certificate for the signer of the message is invalid or not found”, read on as this post will guide you on how you can fix it. This kind of error could be due to the vendor’s certificate that might have become invalid, compromised, or pulled. Aside from that, it is also possible that the update is not targeted at your OS version. You could get this error when you try to install an incompatible update or software on your computer. This error can also appear due to misconfigured system files or when you try to install BitLocker To Go Drive Encryption or BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool. To fix this error, you can try to run the standalone installer in Compatibility mode or enable the Windows Identity Foundation or run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Make sure to check if the error was resolved after every suggestion. It will help you learn what fixed the problem.

Option 1 – Try to run the installer in Compatibility mode

• Look for the setup file.
• Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
• After that, go to the Compatibility tab and mark the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and from the drop-down list, select the Windows OS version you want the installer to run on.
• You also have to check the “Run as administrator” option.
• Now click the Apply button and then click OK to save the changes made and check if it has resolved the issue or not.

Option 2 – Try to troubleshoot compatibility

This option is almost the same as the first one except it is an alternative way of fixing the error 0x80096002 in case the first one didn’t work. In this option, you will troubleshoot the compatibility issue.

• Look for the setup file.
• Then right-click on it and select the “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the context menu.
• After that, click on the “Try recommended setting” option. Once the process is done, the error message should be gone.

Option 3 – Try to enable the Windows Identity Foundation

You might also want to enable the Windows Identity Foundation as some users reported that it helped in resolving the error for them. To do so, follow these steps:

• In the Windows Start Search, type “Turn Windows features on or off” and click on the matching result.
• This will open a list of Windows Features and from there, look for the Windows Identity Foundation.
• Once you found it, click on its checkbox and click OK to enable it and save the changes made.
• Now see if it has fixed the error or not. If not, you have to disable the feature.

Option 4 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the things you can first check out as it is known to automatically resolve any Windows Update errors like error 0x80096002. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Linkey is a potentially unwanted web browser search extension for the top browsers, designed to modify the user’s search and home pages in order to direct advertising. This extension changes your default search provider, redirects new tabs, and distributes information & statistics to the server. This extension will display unwanted ads, redirect you through unwanted search engines, and send your browsing information (potentially private information) back to its ad network.

From the publisher: Linkey is compatible with all the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox. Linkey is a simple browser extension that allows you to get the best sites in one click in visualized & friendly interface.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software, often a browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. Browser hijackers could do many different things on your PC. Usually, hijackers will force hits to websites of their preference either to increase traffic producing higher advertisement revenue, or to obtain a commission for each and every user visiting there. Nonetheless, it’s not that harmless. Your online safety is compromised and it is also extremely annoying. Browser hijackers could also allow other malicious programs without your knowledge to further damage your computer.

How to know whether the web browser is hijacked?

The typical symptoms that suggest having this malicious software on your PC are: 1. your homepage has been reset to some unfamiliar site 2. your browser is constantly being redirected to adult sites 3. the essential web browser settings are modified and undesirable or insecure resources are put into the trusted sites listing 4. unsolicited new toolbars are added to your browser 5. you may notice endless pop-up ads on your screen 6. your web browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent errors 7. You simply can’t access particular sites, particularly anti-malware websites.

How it infects your computer

Browser hijackers attack computers through malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected computer files, or by checking out infected internet sites. They could be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through the “bundling” technique. Examples of well-known browser hijackers are Fireball, GoSave, Ask Toolbar, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab. Browser hijackers could interrupt the user’s browsing experience severely, keep track of the websites visited by users and steal financial information, cause problems in connecting to the internet, and ultimately create stability issues, making applications and computers crash.

How you can get rid of a browser hijacker

Some hijackers can be simply removed by deleting the free software they came with or by removing any extension you have recently added to your computer. Unluckily, the majority of the software products used to hijack a browser are deliberately built to be difficult to eliminate or detect. Moreover, manual removals demand in-depth system knowledge and therefore can be an extremely difficult job for novices.

What To Do When You Cannot Download Safebytes Anti-Malware?

All malware is bad and the magnitude of the damage may vary greatly in accordance with the type of infection. Certain malware variants modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS configurations. When this happens, you will be unable to visit some or all of the websites, and therefore unable to download or install the necessary security software to remove the malware. If you’re reading this, you may have infected by a virus that prevents you from downloading computer security software like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few options you can attempt to get around with this obstacle.

Install in Safe Mode

The Windows-based PC has a special mode called “Safe Mode” in which just the bare minimum required programs and services are loaded. If the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your PC, running it in Safe Mode will let you download antivirus and run a diagnostic scan while limiting potential damage. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is starting up or run MSConfig and look for the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. After you restart into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. After installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Use an alternate browser to download an antivirus application

Certain viruses might target vulnerabilities of a specific web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you appear to have a virus attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to an alternate internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Chrome or Firefox, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Install security software on a thumb drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-malware software that can check your system for malicious software without needing installation. Do these simple actions to clean up your affected PC using portable anti-malware. 1) Download the anti-malware program on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Unplug the USB drive. You may now utilize this portable anti-malware on the infected computer system. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the flash drive to run the software. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for malware.

A Look at the Best AntiMalware Program

Want to download the very best anti-malware software for your laptop? There are several applications in the market that come in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows systems. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, while some will destroy your PC themselves! When searching for an anti-malware tool, choose one which provides dependable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. On the list of highly recommended software programs is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a good track record of top-quality service, and customers are very happy with it. Safebytes is one of the well-established computer solutions companies, which offer this all-inclusive anti-malware software. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will allow you to eradicate multiples types of malware such as computer viruses, trojans, PUPs, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. SafeBytes has got a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your PC from malware attacks and damage. Below are some typical features present in this tool: Live Protection: SafeBytes offers a totally hands-free active protection that is set to observe, prevent and remove all threats at its very first encounter. This utility will always monitor your computer for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep current with the newest threats. Most Reliable AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware software program goes much deeper than most antivirus tools to clean your computer system. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard-to-remove malware that conceals deep inside your PC. Internet Security: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes notifies you whether a site is safe or not to access it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the net. Lightweight Utility: The program is lightweight and can run silently in the background, and that does not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Live Professional Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and upgrades for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove Linkey without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by Linkey

Each time we turn ON our computer or wake it from hibernation we are greeted with a Windows login screen where we need to provide login credentials in order to get into Windows itself and start working. This method of preserving data and privacy is perfectly fine and as a matter of fact, it is recommended for mobile computers but if you have a home computer in a safe environment where no one will try to look at your data or rummage through your personal stuff then removing login screen is safe enough action and can cause you a lot piece, from time-saving to less frustration on every restart or sleep action. In previous Windows versions, it was much easier to turn off this feature but it seems Microsoft has determined that our privacy and security are important and somewhat removed the ability to turn OFF the lock screen. In this guide, we will show you how you can still remove the lock screen and automatically log in with your account like in the good old days. The first thing you need to do is to press ⊞ WINDOWS + R  to bring up the Run dialog In the dialog, type in netplwiz and press ENTER. You will find yourself in the User Accounts window, inside deselect Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Press OK Sign in the window will pop up where you will have to type in your password and confirm it in order to start the feature. After typing in your password and confirming it, press OK. That's it, next time you wake your computer from hibernation or turn it ON, you will automatically be greeted with a desktop instead of a Windows login screen.

We have talked about gaming on old computers and have covered new and upcoming Steam deck handheld console. Today we are combining old gaming with a handheld console and our target of talk is Retroid pocket 2. This product is packed with really high-quality plastic and with some great features in it. So let's dive into this cool handheld in more detail and find out why we like it so much.

Good manufacturing quality

Plastic and overall manufacturing quality are really, really good. The battery is great, packing 4000mAh that can hold over 3 hours of nonstop gaming, and all buttons and joysticks are great. The screen is a 640 x 480 60Hz 3.5″ IPS screen (4:3 aspect ratio) that performs really great for its purpose, retro gaming. There is a Digital D-Pad and dual analog joysticks. The right joystick is the lower profile to avoid being accidentally moved when pressing the four gaming buttons. There are three buttons at the bottom which are Home, Start, and Select. On either side are good-quality stereo speakers. On the bottom of the device are a Micro SD Card slot and a 3.5mm headphone port. On the top of the device are Left and Right shoulder and trigger buttons. There are the power button and volume adjustments. There are a USB Type-C OTG port and a Micro HDMI output for connection to a TV.

Good technical statistics

Good, not great but then again since this is retro handheld you cannot really expect some crazy stuff like alder lake inside. So the console is punching ARM Cortex A7 CPU with 2 cores and a clock of 1.5GHz paired with ARM Mali 400-MP2 500MHz GPU. The console has 1GB LPDDR3 RAM memory and 8GB eMMC Storage where 5GB is freely available, the rest is taken for OS. As mentioned before the display is 640x480 resolution with a size of 3.5″. The battery is Lithium-Ion with a power of 4000mAh and on the handheld, there is a USB Type-C connector, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Micro-HDMI. It also has Wifi/Bluetooth 4.0

Retroid Pocket 2 OS and support

Pocket 2 comes with Android 6 but you can update its firmware to the 8.1 version on the official site that I would highly recommend. New versions of the handheld will come with 8.1 on it from the box. Having Android as OS opens many possibilities like you can download Android apps such as Steam Link, allowing you to play actual PC games on your Retroid Pocket 2. Not just that, if it does get a newer version of Android it could even have the ability to use xCloud, Xbox’s cloud gaming service. Of course, hardware will not be able to handle modern games but the option is still there and for some old PC titles available on steam like Commander Keen, for example, this is a great option. The console can emulate basically everything up to Dreamcast, including N64, PSP, and Playstation 1. It can emulate Nintendo DS also, but it can only do so with one screen. The only problem with this console is you will need to install and update Apps. You’ll need to learn about RetroArch, an app that lets you download emulators or cores to play games.

Retroid price

The last thing on the list is the price of the console itself. Going just under the 100$ mark this really makes it an affordable option for plenty of people that would like to experience retro handheld gaming or for ones like me, nostalgic gamers wanting to relive some era of playing games on the road.

Conclusion

Among Chinese handheld devices for retro gaming, Retroid Pocket 2 is really on top of what the market can offer. If you are looking for a great handheld retro console and are not afraid of little dive-ins into the OS and various configurations, Pocket 2 will reward you with plenty and wide emulation support.

External hard drives have become essentials as they store data. However, they are also prone to issues and one of them is the “The device is not ready”. You could encounter this error when you try to access your connected hard drive. This error won’t allow you to access the contents of your hard drive so unless you fix it, you won’t be able to access any of the files on your hard drive. One of the most likely causes of this error is a hardware defect. Aside from that, it could also be due to loose connections, obsolete device drivers, as well as compatibility issues between the operating system and the hard drive. Before you start troubleshooting the problem, you need to determine if you were able to access your hard drive before you encountered the error or not. If not, you need to check the compatibility of the device with your operating system as it could be the reason why you’re getting the error. There are several potential fixes you can check out to fix this error. You can try to check the hardware connections, run the built-in Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, as well as the USB troubleshooter. You could also run the CHKDSK utility or update the drivers of the device or the USB drivers.

Option 1 – Try checking the hardware connections

The first thing you have to do before you further troubleshoot the problem is to check the hardware connections of your computer and see if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.

Option 2 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters

• The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
• After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
• From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
• Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
• After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.

Note: You could also try to run the USB troubleshooter as it could also resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Run the CHKDSK utility

As you know, the CHKDSK utility can help you in identifying the bad sectors in a drive and fix them automatically. Thus, you can run it to fix the “The device is not ready” error when you connect your USB drive to your computer.

• Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• Next, type and enter this command to execute it: chkdsk /f <drive>
• Now, wait until the process is completed and exit Command Prompt.
• Restart your computer and try connecting the USB drive again and see if the error is fixed.

Option 4 – Try to update the drivers of the device

Although you can always update the device drivers using the Device Manager, you might want to try downloading the latest set of drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve downloaded them, install them right away and then correct the external hard drive.

Option 5 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver

If updating the drivers of the device did not fix the “The device is not ready” error, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers instead of using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:

• First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
• Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
• From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.

Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.

• Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 6 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State

If the first three given options didn’t work and you still see the error when you connect external devices, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try connecting them again.

• Log onto your PC as an administrator.
• Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
• From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
• Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
• Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
• Click Disable all.
• Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
• Now try to connect the external devices and check if the error is now gone.

NoteHomepage (by MyWay) is a browser extension that may be bundled with other free software that you download off of the Internet, or delivered via other advertising means. When installed NoteHomepage will set the homepage and search engine for your web browser to http://search.myway.com. While installing this extension will gather information from your browsing sessions, including website visits, clicked links, and sometimes even private information, that it later sends back to display unwanted ads into your browser. Several anti-virus scanners have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer. It is considered potentially unwanted, and many users wish to remove it, so it is flagged for optional deletion.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software program, usually a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for many different reasons. Generally, browser hijacking is utilized for earning advertising revenue from forced advert mouse clicks and site visits. Even though it might seem harmless, these tools are designed by malicious individuals who always look to take full advantage of you, so that they can earn money from your naivety and distraction. Some browser hijackers are programmed to make certain modifications beyond the browsers, like altering entries on the system registry and letting other malware further damage your machine.

Find out how to identify a browser hijack

Below are some signs and symptoms that suggest your browser has been hijacked: the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly; your browser is constantly being redirected to adult websites; the default search engine is changed; you are getting browser toolbars you have never noticed before; never-ending pop-up advertisements show up and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; your web browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes regularly; Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly anti-malware and also other security software websites.

So how exactly does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers might use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted PC. They could also come from add-on programs, also called browser helper objects (BHO), web browser plug-ins, or toolbars. Browser hijackers sneak into your computer in addition to free software application downloads also that you unknowingly install alongside the original. A good example of some infamous browser hijackers includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, however, the names are regularly changing. Browser hijackers will affect the user’s web surfing experience severely, track the websites frequented by users and steal personal information, cause difficulty in connecting to the web, and eventually create stability problems, causing software programs and systems to crash.

Learn how to remove browser hijackers

Some hijackers can be removed by just uninstalling the corresponding freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Windows control panel. But, many browser hijackers are difficult to get rid of manually. No matter how much you try to get rid of it, it might keep returning again and again. Additionally, manual removals demand in-depth system knowledge and thus can be a very difficult job for novices. Industry experts always suggest users remove any malicious software including browser hijacker with an automatic malware removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal method. Employ a PC optimizer along with your anti-malware software to solve various registry issues, remove computer vulnerabilities, and boost your computer performance.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

If the malware is set to run immediately when Windows starts, stepping into safe mode may block the attempt. Just minimal required applications and services are loaded whenever you start your laptop or computer in Safe Mode. To launch your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 PCs in Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below. 1) At power on, hit the F8 key before the Windows splash screen begins to load. This would invoke the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Select Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press ENTER. 3) As soon as this mode loads, you should have an internet connection. Now, get the malware removal software you want by utilizing the web browser. To install the program, follow the directions in the installation wizard. 4) Immediately after installation, run a full scan and let the software remove the threats it discovers.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Some viruses may target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you’re not able to download the anti-virus software program using Internet Explorer, this means malware is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you need to switch to a different internet browser such as Firefox or Chrome to download the antivirus program.

Run anti-virus from a pen drive

To successfully get rid of the malware, you have to approach the problem of installing anti-malware software on the affected computer system from a different perspective. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware software on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you wish to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the flash drive. Now you can utilize this portable anti-malware on the affected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware software EXE file on the USB drive. 7) Press the “Scan” button to run a full computer scan and remove viruses automatically.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To eliminate NoteHomepage manually, navigate to the Add or Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and select the program you want to get rid of. For web browser plug-ins, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the add-on you want to disable or remove. You might also want to reset your home page and search providers, as well as clear your web browser cache and cookies. Finally, check your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please be aware that this is for professional users only and could be challenging, with incorrect file removal resulting in additional PC errors. In addition to that, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. You’re advised to do this procedure in Windows Safe Mode.

DailyLocalGuide is a Browser Extension developed by Mindspark for Google Chrome. This extension hijacks your default search engine, the home page, and new tab, setting them to MyWebSearch.com.

From the Author:

The Software and Services are sponsored by third-party advertisements and commercial offers and may also contain links to third parties websites, advertisements, products, offers, applications, and more. By downloading and using the Software you give your consent to display to you such Third Party Content (by using display ads, pops, coupons, price comparison, in-line text, and content recommendations) through Our or Our business partners’ technology.

While installed, this extension gathers user browsing activity and sends it back to ad servers. This information is later used to better target ads. When browsing the internet with DailyLocalGuide installed you will see additional injected ads and sponsored content throughout your browsing sessions.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. They are made to interfere with browser functions for a variety of purposes. It redirects you to the sponsored websites and inserts ads on the browser that helps its creator generate revenue. Nonetheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your online safety is compromised and it is also very irritating. When the malware attacks your computer, it starts to mess things up a whole lot that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you may be forced to tackle serious malware threats too.

Symptoms of browser hijacker malware

Symptoms that your web browser is hijacked include: your home page is reset to some unfamiliar website; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, typically directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe sites are added to the trusted sites list; you find unsolicited new toolbars added; your internet browser will display endless pop-up ads; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent glitches; you have prohibited entry to particular webpages, for example, the website of an antivirus software manufacturer like SafeBytes.

Exactly how they get into the computer

Browser hijackers infect computer systems in numerous ways, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail. They can also be deployed through the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. Some internet browser hijackers spread in user’s computers using a deceptive software distribution method called “bundling” (often through freeware and shareware). Popular examples of browser hijackers include Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Server, OneWebSearch, RocketTab, Searchult.com, Snap.do, and Delta Search.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Some browser hijacking could be simply stopped by discovering and removing the corresponding malware program from your control panel. However, most browser hijackers are hard to eliminate manually. Irrespective of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it can keep returning over and over. Apart from that, manual removal expects you to do many time-consuming and complicated actions that are hard to accomplish for novice computer users. An anti-malware program is extremely effective with regards to finding out and eliminating browser hijackers that normal anti-virus software has missed. SafeBytes Anti-Malware detects all types of hijackers – such as DailyLocalGuide – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Safebytes Anti-Malware?

Malware can cause many different types of damage to PCs, networks, and data. Certain malware types modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or modify the PC’s DNS configuration settings. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all websites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to eliminate the computer virus. If you’re reading this, you probably have affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security application such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are some solutions you can try to get around with this particular problem.

Remove malware in Safe Mode

The Windows OS has a special mode referred to as “Safe Mode” where just the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In case the malware is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, hit the “F8” key on your keyboard right before the Windows boot screen shows up; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, check Safe Boot under Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your antivirus program without the hindrance of the malicious software. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to remove most standard infections.

Obtain the security software in an alternate internet browser

Some viruses might target vulnerabilities of a particular browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you appear to have malware attached to Internet Explorer, then switch over to a different internet browser with built-in safety features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your favorite antivirus program – Safebytes.

Create a portable antivirus for eliminating viruses

Here’s another solution which is utilizing a portable USB anti-virus software that can check your system for malicious software without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to employ a USB drive to fix your corrupted computer. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free computer. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose a USB flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you intend to install the application. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the clean computer to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up up all types of malware.

Highlights of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Do you wish to install the best anti-malware program for your laptop? There are numerous applications available that come in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few of them are excellent, some are decent, while some will destroy your computer themselves! You have to look for a product that has got a good reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other sorts of malware also. With regards to commercial antimalware tool options, many people go with well-known brands, like SafeBytes, and they are very happy with it. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only secures your computer permanently but is also very user-friendly for people of all ability levels. With its outstanding protection system, this software will automatically detect and remove most of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans.

SafeBytes anti-malware offers an array of advanced features which sets it apart from all others. These are some of the highlighted features included in the product.

World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is based on the very best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the initial phases of a malware outbreak. Real-Time Protection: SafeBytes gives round-the-clock protection for your personal computer restricting malware attacks in real-time. This tool will continuously monitor your computer for suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Internet Security: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating about the web pages you’re going to check out, automatically blocking harmful sites and making sure that you are certain of your safety while browsing the world wide web. Fast Scan: SafeBytes Anti-Malware possesses a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other protection software. Lightweight: SafeBytes is really a lightweight application. It uses up a very small amount of processing power as it operates in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want. Premium Support: You can get high levels of support around the clock if you are using their paid version. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program as it has loads of features and can detect and eliminate any potential threats. Once you’ve downloaded and installed this software, you will no longer have to bother about malware or other security worries. If you need advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be well worth the money!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to perform the removal of DailyLocalGuide manually rather than employing an automated software tool, you can follow these measures: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending program to uninstall. In cases of suspicious versions of browser plugins, you can actually remove it via your web browser’s extension manager. You will likely also want to reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. If you decide to manually remove the system files and Windows registry entries, utilize the following checklist to ensure that you know exactly what files to remove before carrying out any actions. But bear in mind, this is often a tricky task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, some malware keeps replicating which makes it tough to remove. Carrying out this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.